Peg securing method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

Hollow tubular pegs having bases and stems, and pegs without bases having only stems, with distensible portions on their stems which are caused to bulge to assist in anchoring the pegs into a medium in which they are inserted and method and means for forming the bulges by distending portions of the stems after insertion into a medium; and means to anchor pegs carrying data instruments into a position within a medium by causing distensible portions of pegs to bulge within the medium.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

[0001] This invention is related to our co-pending application for Golfing Game With Undulating Surface, Ser. No. 08/978,101 filed Jan. 25, 1997, now ______, and is a continuation in part of our co-pending application Ser. No. 09/948,132 filed Sep. 4, 20001 for Controlled Penetration Peg Method and Apparatus, now ______.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] I. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention is in the general field of pegs;

[0004] The invention is more particularly in the field of pegs which may be inserted into and penetrate into mats, various materials, organic matter, inorganic matter, and other mediums;

[0005] The invention is even more particularly in such fields wherein it is desired to control the depth of penetration of the pegs into the medium into which the pegs are inserted;

[0006] The invention is also in the field of pegs which may be rotated in a single plane while inserted into material;

[0007] The invention is also in the field of pegs which may be maintained in axial alignment while being inserted into mediums; and

[0008] The invention is also in the field of securing pegs which may be used with instrumentation in stable and unstable mediums.

[0009] II. Description of the Prior Art

[0010] There have been many different types of pegs used for a huge variety of purposes. Pegs are used, and associated by many persons as being for such purposes as stays for guy wires and the like, surveying and building markers, road markers, golfing tees, data gathering instruments,and numerous other purposes involved in insertion into soil or the like and other mediums.

[0011] Pegs are used for many other purposes including medical and scientific purposes and the like. Some examples of the lesser known, but important, uses for pegs will be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,033,437 (a means for removable holding an artificial eye in a movable relationship in a human); 6,078,001 (winding pegs for guitars); 6,079,355 (aligning peg for electrode plate assembly); 6,079,237 (use in motor vehicle door lock); 6,067,837 (used in extracting item in connection with automatic forging machines); 4,832,304 (a peg, or stake for mounting an umbrella into the ground, 2,989,968 (a collapsible umbrella stick; and 2,789,390 (a type of rivet). This listing is merely informative and not intended as an information disclosure document

[0012] We have studied this field and have not found pegs with penetration and movement limiting capabilities integral with, and non-interfering with proper use of, the pegs. Therefore, we have concluded that there is no directly applicable prior art anticipating nor suggesting our present invention as claimed below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Frequently it is desired, or necessary, to limit depth of penetration, or magnitude of movement, of pegs in many different situations. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,033,437 this is an important factor since proper use of the artificial eye and safety and comfort of the user are at stake.

[0014] We have found no prior art in inexpensive and totally safe and effective means integral with the pegs for limiting movement or penetration of pegs, or securing pegs carrying instrumentation and the like in unstable mediums. Our pegs utilized in our previously referred to patent application Ser. No. 08/978,101 can effectively limit penetration of pegs into a material such as a mat as utilized in our golf game. However, they might be very difficult to use as a substitute for the peg of U.S. Pat. No. 6,033,437.

[0015] We have been studying this field and have now made significant advances in this art. Our advances have to do with peg insertion and movement limitation and stabilization in various mediums and instrumentation enabling means and methods.

[0016] We have conceived and developed a system in which we utilize the principle of a bulge, or enlargement, on a peg intermediate a peg's ends to enable, and to limit, movement of a peg in certain mediums. We accomplish this by providing a bulge on a peg intermediate its ends.

[0017] The bulges we employ may be uniform, such as a globe shaped bulge, or they may be of different configurations such as a disc or the like for directional control, or other added benefits.

[0018] The bulges may be of a fixed size and configuration, or they may be capable of enlargement and change of shape during use.

[0019] It is an object of this invention to provide pegs having insertion and removal enhancing features;

[0020] Another object of this invention is to provide a method for limiting the insertion rate and dimensions of insert-able pegs;

[0021] Another object of this invention is to provide an improved peg for use in certain medical procedures;

[0022] Another object of this invention is to provide pegs with changeable dimensional characteristics;

[0023] Another object is to secure pegs carrying instrumentation with a medium and to control their movement.

[0024] The foregoing and other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the description of preferred embodiments, which follows, in conjunction with a review of the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025]FIG. 1 is a schematic, partially sectioned, view of a segment of a mat with a peg suitable to practice one method of this invention;

[0026]FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic perspective of the peg of FIG. 1;

[0027]FIG. 2A is a section on 2A-2A on FIG. 1;

[0028]FIG. 3 is a schematic side elevation of an alternate peg suitable to practice at least one method of this invention;

[0029]FIG. 3A is a section on 3A-3A on FIG. 3;

[0030]FIG. 3B is a view similar to FIG. 3 but with a deformable portion shown deformed;

[0031]FIG. 3C is a section on 3C-3C on FIG. 3B;

[0032]FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective of another alternate of a peg suitable to practice at least one method of this invention;

[0033]FIG. 4A is a section on 4A-4A on FIG. 4;

[0034]FIG. 4B is a section on 4B-4B on FIG. 4;

[0035]FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective of another alternate of a peg suitable to practice at least one method of this invention;

[0036]FIG. 5A is a section on 5A-5A on FIG. 5;

[0037]FIG. 5B is a section on 5B-5B on FIG. 5;

[0038]FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective of a peg similar to FIG. 3, inverted;

[0039]FIG. 6A is a section on 6A-6A on FIG. 6;

[0040]FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective of a holder for practicing at least one of the methods of this invention;

[0041]FIG. 7A is a section on 7A-7A on FIG. 7;

[0042]FIG. 7B is identical to FIG. 7A except that a device of FIG. 6A is in place;

[0043]FIG. 8 is a schematic side elevation of an alternate peg suitable to practice at least one method of this invention;

[0044]FIG. 8A is a section on 8A-8A on FIG. 8;

[0045]FIG. 8B is a view similar to FIG. 8 but with a deformable portion shown deformed;

[0046]FIG. 8C is a section on 8C-8C on FIG. 8B; and

[0047]FIG. 9 is a section on an alternate form in which the peg has no base.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0048] An inventory of items bearing reference numerals in the drawings is: Numeral Item 10 peg 12 main peg stem 14 peg base 16 bulge 20 peg 22 peg stem 24 peg base 25 hollow peg center 26 resilient portion of peg stem 27 plug 28 peg filler material 30 peg 32 peg stem 34 peg base 36 peg stem protrusion 40 peg 42 peg stem 44 peg base 46 peg stem disc 50 peg 52 peg stem 54 peg base 56 resilient portion of peg stem 58 filler 60 peg holder 62 hollow interior of peg holder 64 hollow peg base cavity 65 pointed end on peg holder 66 enlarged peg protrusion accommodating cavity 70 peg 72 peg stem 76 peg stem protrusion 80 device 81 tube 82 distensible portion 83 hose 84 bulge 85 instrument 86 fasten instrument to distensible portion 87 fasten instrument to hose 88 fluid pressure 89 closed hose end 100 mat 101 mat filler 102 mat cover 104 mat cover 106 mat distortion 110 base surface

[0049]FIGS. 1, 2, and 2A should be viewed together. A peg 10 as disclosed in our referenced co-pending application is illustrated. This peg 10 is shown in FIG. 1 to be inserted into the mat 100 through mat cover 104 and into mat filler 101. The peg base 14 is resting on a base surface 110, as is the mat cover 104 except where lifted by the mat base. A peg with a straight stem would tend to fall out of place if the mat was disturbed or lifted. Our peg 10 with the bulge 16 in the middle of the stem 12 stays in position even if the mat is lifted and carried about. A small hole is cut in the mat cover 104 for easy insertion of the peg. The mat filler material 101, which may be foam or the like is easily penetrated by the bulge and then conforms around the bulge to hold the peg in place.

[0050]FIGS. 3, 3A, 3B, and 3C are best viewed together. A peg 20 is shown in FIG. 3 to consist of a base 24 with a conduit 25 in the center which continues through the length of the stem 22. The hollow stem 22 has a resilient portion 26. This will be known to those skilled in the art. The portion 26 can be formed with a reduced wall thickness or by other processes known to those skilled in the art so that it is comparatively resilient or elastic as compared to the balance of the stem. The entire stem can then be inserted into soil, flesh, or other medium. After insertion, some type of fluid, plastic, or the like 28 is inserted into the stem under pressure until the bulge 26 is formed. Plug 27 is then inserted and the peg will be held in position in whatever medium it is inserted into. While it is held in position, depending upon the medium in which it is located, it may none-the-less be rotatable which may be very advantageous for many purposes—for example, as a mount for an artificial eye or the like.

[0051]FIGS. 4, 4A, and 4B illustrate another embodiment of a peg utilizing the principles of this invention. In this case, a peg 30 having a base 34 and stem 32 is shown with two semi circular ribs 36 protruding from opposed sides of the stem. These ribs will hold the peg in a non-rotatable condition in a medium such as soil or the like. This can be of considerable advantage in many instances where a peg should not rotate. For example, a golf tee made in this manner may be prevented from flying out of the turf after the ball is hit, or its direction of travel can be controlled by the proper placement of guides of this nature.

[0052]FIGS. 5, 5a, and 5 b show still another variation. In this case peg 40 consists of stem 42 with disc-like protrusion 46 and base 44. The disc 46 may prevent insertion of the stem into a medium such as the turf of a golfing tee area. As a sub-invention, a set of golfing tees having the disc 46 at different locations so that a ball may be teed at different elevations for special conditions of play may be advantageous.

[0053] It should be observed that the pegs of FIGS. 4, 4A, and 4B, and FIGS. 5, 5A, and 5B could b made in the manner of the pegs of FIGS. 3, 3A, 3B, and 3C, that is with a resilient area which expands into the final desired shape.

[0054]FIGS. 6, 6A, 7, 7A, and 7B show a special circumstance for the use of pegs of this invention. In this case, the pegs 50 are inserted into holders 60, which holders can be inserted into almost any medium. One especially important application is with shade umbrellas. Umbrellas are widely used on beaches, picnic grounds, lawns, and the like. Such umbrellas are easily overturned or blown away.

[0055] What we have shown in FIGS. 7, 7A, and 7B is a holder 60 which is a substantial stake or the like with an elongate hollow body 61 and a pointed end 65 for easy insertion into soil or sand or the like. The hollow body comprises four distinct portions being two stem receiving cavities 62, bulge cavity 66, and base cavity 64.

[0056] The various cavities are configured to accommodate the different portions of peg 50 as shown in FIGS. 6, 6A, and 7B. The peg 50 is similar to the version shown in FIGS. 3, 3A, 3B, and 3C. The peg 50 is comprised of base 54, and stem 52-56-52 a. The peg 50 will be inserted into the stake 60 in the condition shown in FIG. 6. The portion 56 will be distensible. When filler 58 is applied under pressure, the distensible portion 56 expands so that peg portions 54, 52, 56, 52 fit snugly within stake cavities 64, 62, 66, 62 a respectively. The umbrella (not shown) or the like can now be attached to base 54 by means known to those skilled in the art. One important method of such attachment is by having the plug 57 attached to the end of an umbrella handle and have the plug 57 threaded into threads (not shown) in the base 54.

[0057] While we have discussed a beach umbrella or the like with the version of this invention illustrated in FIGS. 6, 6A, 7, 7A, and 7B, it is to be understood that this same structure can be made in an extremely miniaturized version. For example, a version having dimensions equivalent to the dimensions which would be used with the orbital implant peg of U.S. Pat. No. 6,033,437, referred to above, could be used and is believed to be a superior orbital implant peg.

[0058] In one form, the filler 58 will be applied under pressure as a fluid until the distensible portion has expanded to a predetermined size after which the fluid will become a solid as will be known to those skilled in the art. One such filler material could be epoxy with suitable catalysts and accelerators or other activators.

[0059] While we originally conceived our peg as having a base for the purposes and reason which will be apparent top those skilled in the art, we have researched the use of pegs, and floating pegs and the such as medical devices which are very small, but are sometimes placed on veins and arteries and the like for gathering information in diagnosis and the like. In such instances, and many others such as reinforcing special areas in wet concrete, applying posts and supports in unstable soil, and the like an enlarged base may be counter productive. We have now conceived and developed pegs, or the like, which can be used in all of these applications. One of such devices is shown in FIGS. 8, 8A, 8B, and 8C.

[0060]FIG. 8 shows a hollow peg 70 consisting of hollow cylindrical peg stem 72 which is closed at a first end and has an open second end which may be provided with means to close the second end such as threads 77 or the like. A distensible portion 76 is located intermediate the two ends of the peg, which may be plastic or other suitable material.

[0061] While we have shown the peg closed at one end, it must be recognized that the peg could be merely a tube. Then the ends may be closed or not as desired in order to distend the distensible portion.

[0062] There are many unique, novel and useful applications for this peg 70. The peg can be used, for example, to carry instruments or the like along an artery or vein. By distending the distensible portion through action of air pressure or otherwise, the peg can be caused to remain in one position for extensive reading of the condition of a particular location in a body. Also this can be extremely useful in inserting instruments or the like into unstable material such as quicksand, freshly poured concrete, and the like. The peg carrying instruments or the like can be caused to move, or to remain in one position, by distending the distensible portion. Numerous other uses will occur to those skilled in the art.

[0063]FIG. 9 is a section through a new device 80 which is a novel, unique, and useful variation of our peg invention. In this case, elongate tubular member 81 has a distensible portion 82 (shown distended). A rubber or the like hose 83 extends through the length of the tube 81-82-81 and may have a closed end 89. A data collection instrument 85 or the like may be fastened 87 by means known to those skilled in the art to the exterior of the hose 83 and/or fastened 86 to the the interior of the distensible portion 82 of the tube.

[0064] In use, the un-distended tube 81-82-81 with hose 83 will be inserted into a medium to a desired location. The hose 83 will be pressurized 88 by a fluid in a manner known to those skilled in the art. The bulge 84 will displace or move some of the medium and hold the tube and the instrument in place so that it can perform any test or record information as may be desired. The pressure in the hose may be released and the tube will return to its un-expanded condition. The tube can then be moved to another location for another expansion and performance of test. This may be repeated as many times as desired until all the data being sought has been obtained.

[0065] While we have shown this new invention to have one end closed and the other end suitable to be closed, it is noted that we could provide a mere hollow tube of almost any cross section configuration with a distensible portion. In this case, the tube, or hollow peg will be inserted into any desired medium. Then, once in a desired place, the distensible portion can be distended by using a rubber hose, or the like under air pressure as shown in FIG. 9 to retain the peg in a desired position by reason of the elastic properties of rubber or other material used for the hose. The hose will be restrained in the non-distensible portions and will expand and cause a bulge in the distensible portion.

[0066] By this reference we include the claims and abstract which follow within this description of embodiments the same as though fully set forth here again.

[0067] In the claims which follow we may fail to claim one or more patentable features. If that occurs, it will be due to inadvertence and not due to any intent to abandon or dedicate such feature(s). In such event, immediately upon discovery of such failure to claim we shall seek to claim such feature(s) by reissue or other appropriate action.

[0068] While the embodiments of this invention shown and described are fully capable of achieving the objects and advantages desired, it is to be understood that these embodiments are for purposes of illustration only and not for purposes of limitation. 

We claim:
 1. A method of utilization of a peg in a medium comprising: inserting a peg consisting of a hollow tubular member having a first and a second end, a non-distensible segment adjacent each end, and a distensible segment intermediate said non-distensible segments into a medium; and filling said hollow tubular member with a substance under pressure thereby causing the distensible segment to expand and cause a bulge which displaces a portion of the medium.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the substance under pressure is a fluid which turns to a solid after the distensible portion has been expanded to a predetermined size.
 3. A method for mounting an object within a medium comprising: inserting a hollow peg having a distensible portion into the medium; distending the distensible portion so as to secure the peg in a position within the medium; connecting a fastener to the hollow peg; and fastening the object to the fastener.
 4. A method for testing unstable mediums comprising: inserting an instrument into the distensible portion of an elongate peg having a first non-distensible segment, a second distensible segment, and a third non-distensible segment; inserting a hollow, elastic member into the peg; causing the distensible segment to expand and secure the peg within a given position in the medium by pressurizing the elastic member; and causing the instrument to be operated to gather information. 